INGREDIENTS A - M INGREDIENTS - N - Z
Aqua
Bulks up or ‘fluffs’ up products, to increase quantities cheaply. Its presence in a product requires a preservative to be added to avoid development of mould, and almost certainly, an emulsifier to keep the water and any oil, mixed.
Benzyl Alcohol
Used as a preservative, perfume, analgesic and solvent. A moderate hazard, with restricted use in several countries. Associated with contact allergies. FOUND IN CIGARETTES
Benzyl Benzoate
Used as a pesticide, perfume and preservative. Considered a moderate hazard by the Environmental Working Groups cosmetics database (EWG) Restricted use due to possible sensitisation. FOUND IN CIGARETTES..
Benzisothiazolinone:
Preservative, commonly used in personal care products, among the most common irritants, sensitiSers and causes of contact allergy.
Benzyl Cinnamate
Mainly used as a perfume, also anti bacterial and anti fungal Considered a moderate hazard by EWG, with moderate allergy and toxicity levels. On the European list of banned or restricted fragrances. Only safe within concentration limits. FOUND IN CIGARETTES
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (E320)
Used as perfume and antioxidant. Considered a high hazard by EU and US. Cancer causing and endocrine disrupter. Significant allergy effect
Carbomer
A stabiliser. Considered a low hazard
Cetyl alcohol
Used as an emulsifier to ensure oil and water combine.
Also used as a thickener. Considered low hazard
Citric Acid
Used to adjust acid balance in products. Considered low hazard. FOUND IN CIGARETTES
Coal Tar A by-product of coal processing, and a known human cancer causing agent.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Uses increases viscosity and a foaming agent. Restricted use in cosmetics. Considered moderate hazard for allergies
Decyl Glucoside
Surfactant, cleaning agent and stabiliser. Considered a low hazard, providing concentrations and usage are limited.
Dimethicone A silicone based polymer, used as a skin protector.
Considered low hazard
Emulsifiers
These are used to help oil and water mix together, and remain mixed in the product.
EDTA
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Used to remove metals from products. Used as a preservative and stabiliser. Protects fragrances.
Widely used to dissolve lime scale Thought to possibly contribute to the formation of carcinogens. (cancer causing)
Fragrance
Be careful with products that simply say “fragrance” on an ingredient list, as that means the product could contain things like benzyl alcohol There is no requirement to state exactly what the fragrance or perfume is because fragrances are ‘protected formulas’. Generally, if the elements of the perfume are not specified, then it may be because they are not considered safe. Recent research from EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label.
Glycerin
Draws water from the air to the top layers of the skin. Considered no hazard.
Glyceryl Oleate
A skin conditioner, also helps form an emulsion. Considered no hazard
Glyceryl Stearate
Reduces water loss from skin by forming a barrier. Considered no hazard
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
A water soluble derivative of Guar Gum made from Guar bean. Used as an anti-static anf conditioning agent for hair. Considered no hazard for human use.
Hydroquinone: A skin bleaching chemical that can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with blue-black lesions that in the worst cases become permanent black caviar-size bumps. In animal studies, hydroquinone has caused tumor development.
Isopropyl Palmitate
Used as a lubricant, to make skin appear smooth, and as a binding agent. Considered low hazard
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
A water based preservative originally used in the wood and paint industries. Now also used in some cosmetics and personal care formulations as a preservative. It is acutely toxic if inhaled.
Lanolin
Natural product obtained from the wool of sheep. Lanolin is a natural wax coating on sheep wool that is removed by boiling the wool and collecting the wax. Sheep are treated with a pesticide dip which
contains chemicals such as DDT, lindane, and diazinon to control parasites.
There are concerns about chemicals used on sheep fleece prior to shearing, ending up in the Lanolin It is also frequent allergy related, although further testing is needed.
Vegetable Lanolin is also available, without the hazards listed above, although generally not used in most skincare ranges.
Lanolin alcohol
Another element of lanolin – as above
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Used as an anti caking agent. Bulking agent. Banned for use in products for lips or eye area. Considered low – moderate hazard
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservatives, commonly used together in personal care products, among the most common irritants, sensitizers and causes of contact allergy. Lab studies on mammalian brain cells suggest that methylisothiazolinone may be neurotoxic.
Methylparaben
A Paraben, used as a preservative. Parabens mimic the hormone oestrogen, leading to endocrine disruption. It is a toxicant and allergen. Considered a hazard
Microcrystalline wax
Hydrocarbon wax derived from Petroleum. Used as a binder and bulking agent. Concerns about organ toxicity. Considered a low-moderate hazard
Mineral Oil
A liquid mixture of Hydrocarbons obtained from Petroleum. A skin protector, and makes skin look smooth. Evidence of cancer causing agents when airborne Immune and Respiratory toxicant and allergen Considered a moderate hazard
Aqua
Bulks up or ‘fluffs’ up products, to increase quantities cheaply. Its presence in a product requires a preservative to be added to avoid development of mould, and almost certainly, an emulsifier to keep the water and any oil, mixed.
Benzyl Alcohol
Used as a preservative, perfume, analgesic and solvent. A moderate hazard, with restricted use in several countries. Associated with contact allergies. FOUND IN CIGARETTES
Benzyl Benzoate
Used as a pesticide, perfume and preservative. Considered a moderate hazard by the Environmental Working Groups cosmetics database (EWG) Restricted use due to possible sensitisation. FOUND IN CIGARETTES..
Benzisothiazolinone:
Preservative, commonly used in personal care products, among the most common irritants, sensitiSers and causes of contact allergy.
Benzyl Cinnamate
Mainly used as a perfume, also anti bacterial and anti fungal Considered a moderate hazard by EWG, with moderate allergy and toxicity levels. On the European list of banned or restricted fragrances. Only safe within concentration limits. FOUND IN CIGARETTES
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (E320)
Used as perfume and antioxidant. Considered a high hazard by EU and US. Cancer causing and endocrine disrupter. Significant allergy effect
Carbomer
A stabiliser. Considered a low hazard
Cetyl alcohol
Used as an emulsifier to ensure oil and water combine.
Also used as a thickener. Considered low hazard
Citric Acid
Used to adjust acid balance in products. Considered low hazard. FOUND IN CIGARETTES
Coal Tar A by-product of coal processing, and a known human cancer causing agent.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Uses increases viscosity and a foaming agent. Restricted use in cosmetics. Considered moderate hazard for allergies
Decyl Glucoside
Surfactant, cleaning agent and stabiliser. Considered a low hazard, providing concentrations and usage are limited.
Dimethicone A silicone based polymer, used as a skin protector.
Considered low hazard
Emulsifiers
These are used to help oil and water mix together, and remain mixed in the product.
EDTA
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Used to remove metals from products. Used as a preservative and stabiliser. Protects fragrances.
Widely used to dissolve lime scale Thought to possibly contribute to the formation of carcinogens. (cancer causing)
Fragrance
Be careful with products that simply say “fragrance” on an ingredient list, as that means the product could contain things like benzyl alcohol There is no requirement to state exactly what the fragrance or perfume is because fragrances are ‘protected formulas’. Generally, if the elements of the perfume are not specified, then it may be because they are not considered safe. Recent research from EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label.
Glycerin
Draws water from the air to the top layers of the skin. Considered no hazard.
Glyceryl Oleate
A skin conditioner, also helps form an emulsion. Considered no hazard
Glyceryl Stearate
Reduces water loss from skin by forming a barrier. Considered no hazard
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
A water soluble derivative of Guar Gum made from Guar bean. Used as an anti-static anf conditioning agent for hair. Considered no hazard for human use.
Hydroquinone: A skin bleaching chemical that can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with blue-black lesions that in the worst cases become permanent black caviar-size bumps. In animal studies, hydroquinone has caused tumor development.
Isopropyl Palmitate
Used as a lubricant, to make skin appear smooth, and as a binding agent. Considered low hazard
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
A water based preservative originally used in the wood and paint industries. Now also used in some cosmetics and personal care formulations as a preservative. It is acutely toxic if inhaled.
Lanolin
Natural product obtained from the wool of sheep. Lanolin is a natural wax coating on sheep wool that is removed by boiling the wool and collecting the wax. Sheep are treated with a pesticide dip which
contains chemicals such as DDT, lindane, and diazinon to control parasites.
There are concerns about chemicals used on sheep fleece prior to shearing, ending up in the Lanolin It is also frequent allergy related, although further testing is needed.
Vegetable Lanolin is also available, without the hazards listed above, although generally not used in most skincare ranges.
Lanolin alcohol
Another element of lanolin – as above
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Used as an anti caking agent. Bulking agent. Banned for use in products for lips or eye area. Considered low – moderate hazard
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservatives, commonly used together in personal care products, among the most common irritants, sensitizers and causes of contact allergy. Lab studies on mammalian brain cells suggest that methylisothiazolinone may be neurotoxic.
Methylparaben
A Paraben, used as a preservative. Parabens mimic the hormone oestrogen, leading to endocrine disruption. It is a toxicant and allergen. Considered a hazard
Microcrystalline wax
Hydrocarbon wax derived from Petroleum. Used as a binder and bulking agent. Concerns about organ toxicity. Considered a low-moderate hazard
Mineral Oil
A liquid mixture of Hydrocarbons obtained from Petroleum. A skin protector, and makes skin look smooth. Evidence of cancer causing agents when airborne Immune and Respiratory toxicant and allergen Considered a moderate hazard
